Zuiches Announces Retirement

Dr. James J. Zuiches, vice chancellor for the Office of Extension, Engagement, and Economic Development at North Carolina State University, announced his plan to retire no later than Dec. 31, 2011. Zuiches became vice chancellor in 2006 and has led the university’s outreach programs for the past five years.

“Creating jobs and building meaningful partnerships are important components of NC State’s mission and legacy,” Chancellor Randy Woodson said. “NC State has continued to build and broaden its engagement and economic portfolio under Dr. Zuiches’ leadership.  We appreciate his hard work on behalf of NC State and the people of North Carolina.”

“I have enjoyed immensely working with our engaged faculty and partners across the state to improve the economy, educational system and communities,” Zuiches said. “I have loved the interaction with so many constituents on their turf, working with local leaders, teachers, economic developers and citizens.”

Zuiches applied the economic development industry cluster model to connect the university to state and regional business growth and recruitment priorities. He has presented two dozen papers in the United States and at international Triple Helix conferences, on such topics as  the university’s accelerators of innovation, economic cluster development strategies, public/private partnerships and Centennial Campus, and the impact of seed grants on faculty success.

He serves as a director on several boards, including the N.C. Agromedicine Institute, the Urban Serving Universities Coalition, the National Outreach Scholarship Consortium, Triangle Tomorrow, and the Food Systems Leadership Institute. He also served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture, Research Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board (2004-08).

A native of Wisconsin, Zuiches received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to coming to NC State, he was a faculty member and administrator at Michigan State University, Cornell University, and Washington State University. He also served as a grant-making program officer for the National Science Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

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